Living Above the Fray

Needed: Perspective
2 Timothy 4:1-5
2 Timothy 2:1-5

1Inthe presence of God and of Christ

Jesus, who will judge the living and
the dead, and in view of his
appearing and his kingdom, I give
you this charge: 2 Preach the Word;
be prepared in season and out of
season; correct, rebuke and
encourage—with great patience and
careful instruction. 3 For the time will
come when men will not put up with
sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their
own desires, they will gather around
them a great number of teachers to
say what their itching ears want to
hear. 4 They will turn their ears away
from the truth and turn aside to
myths. 5 But you, keep your head in
all situations, endure hardship, do
the work of an evangelist, discharge
all the duties of your ministry.
 Just the facts

• A solemn injunction V1
• 9 imperatives Vv2-5
 Context is critical

1Inthe presence of God and of Christ

Jesus, who will judge the living and
the dead, and in view of his
appearing and his kingdom, I give
you this charge:
 Why is God such a big deal?

“Because more consequences for life

and action follow from the affirmation
or denial of God than from any other
basic question.”
 Worldview Differences

Eastern Worldview Western Worldview

Faith Self

Self
Faith
“In other words, a Muslim believed that life was
expendable, his faith paramount. The Westerner, he
charged, regards his life more important than what
he believes. “That is why,” he added, “the West will
ultimately be overrun. Faith, in the West, is sort of an
extracurricular interest and a mere aspect of life for
the sake of inner peace. But faith seldom enters the
conscience as a conviction.”
 Three Necessary Perspectives

• Christ Jesus,
1. who will judge the living and the
dead,
2. and in view of his appearing
3. and his kingdom
 Jesus

1. who will judge the living and the dead,

The White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15)
The Bema Seat (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are

at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all

appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each
one may receive what is due him for the things done
while in the body, whether good or bad.
Accountability
 Jesus

2. and in view of his appearing

Eminence
3. and his kingdom
Living in this life with the
future life of the kingdom to
give perspective.
Citizenship
Remember . . .

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What

shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans
run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows
that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as
well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for
tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:31–34
 The bottom line

Sincere faith may long for passivity, but a

genuinely Christian worldview must
recognize that even the redeemed are
accountable, and that they live with an
understanding of eminence because their
true identity is derived from their citizenship
within the kingdom of God.
 To Go . . .

How is Paul’s worldview different

from the secular one that is prevalent
in our day?
Is Jesus your buddy or your judge?
How does you view of the kingdom
of God impact the way that you live
in this world?